Human lymphocyte-tumor cell interaction. A scanning electron microscopy study.

Abstract

Cells from the metastatic chest wall lesions of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the breast were incubated with autologous lymphocytes. Their interactions were observed in the scanning electron microscope. The lymphocytes first surrounded the cancer cells; cancer cells then were destroyed while the lymphocytes in contact with them lost their microvilli. The heterologous human lymphocytes being used as controls surrounded the tumor cells but did not destroy them. Lymphocytes in the presence of tumor cells showed interconnections through cytoplasmic bridging.